When is the best time to get a wheel alignment?

[kamold]

Should I get a wheel alignment done just before replacing my tyres ie with full indication of what the extended wear pattern is?

Or should I get new tyres all round and then get an alignment done with ~5k on the tyres to show at least an indication of where they will wear?

[nat225]

Most would say get alignment if you havent had one done in the last 12 mths, especially when putting on new tyres. In saying that, i waited 2 years before i had alignment done last month but i rotated my tyres every 2000-3000kms and achieved almost even wear on all 4 tyres.

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[brad]

I used to prefer my customers come & show me their old tyres, then get the new ones & do the alignment knowing what the wear pattern was.

A bit of faffing about but made easier because most bought from the tyre place I was attached to.

Where do you intend getting the alignment done?

[kamold]

Probably spinning wheels

[brad]

Probably spinning wheels

just ask them. the guy there is very good.

[Martin]

Do the alignment when

• You buy the car
• You take a *big* hit
• When the tyres indicate there is a problem
• Every 2 or 3 years depending how you are going

I've used spinning wheels, that old fella *really* knows his stuff
He may be a bit cold when you first meet him but if you listen to him and follow advice he really lightens up

They used black weights to hide them on my black wheels
They also provided decent valves with metal caps which is rare these days

They also correctly fitted the tyres to the right wheels in the correct orientation
(they marked each tyre when I explained what I wanted)
You may think this point is daft and obvious but I can tell you I have watched the boys at other shops and had to march into the workshop bay to correct them when they've mixed the tyres up and lost orientation (there is a reason why they are changing tyres)

[brad]

Martin
That guy isn't that old. When I had my alignment done I figured he was about my vintage & I started discussing techo stuff that would have been relevant when I did my trade. He looked at me blankly. Turns out he's about 10 yrs younger than me. LOL (I guess you'd call him middle-aged).

[Martin]

Unreal Brad! In that case it looks like he's had a hard life - LOL

[brad]

I think I've had an easy one

[Martin]

Indeed!

[VW Convert]

I think I've had an easy one

Not paying yourself a compliment there are you Brad?

Cheers

George